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Mackenzie Paul, Who Chronicled Her Leukemia Battle Online, Dies at 26

Her widely followed posts traced a years-long fight with AML culminating in an art-driven project sharing others’ mantras.

Overview

  • Her husband, Brandon, announced her death in a video, saying she is "not in pain anymore" and calling it "a miracle that she made it this far."
  • Paul was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 23 while a second-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
  • She documented treatment on TikTok and Instagram, drawing nearly 30,000 followers and a daily #TakingBackWhatCancerTookFromMe series focused on small wins.
  • Her cancer returned in summer 2024, leading to repeated hospitalizations, ICU stays and clinical trials after hopes for a stem cell transplant and a return to medical school.
  • She launched My Mantra Project, creating portrait time-lapses with voiceovers to spotlight the mantras of people facing illness, addiction or mental-health challenges.